After all this time, it feels impossible to really write these words: Final Fantasy XV is finally released.

I was lucky to get my hand on a copy early, so I was able to play the highly anticipated game almost a week by now. Trust me, you won’t need to invest so many hours into the game to finally realize how big, immersive, and detailed the world of Eos is.

The open world size is comparable to that of Fallout 4 or the Witcher 3, although there is some JRPG linear-feel on it. As with any open-world game, you can expect a lot of side quests, in fact, 200+ of them.

Yet, being a Final Fantasy game, you can also expect the usual complex progression and combat system, stat and Gil farming, and of course, secret stashes of weapons and equipment.

Should the impressive number of details scare you? Well, it did for me, especially because I wouldn’t have the time for multiple 100+ hours playthroughs to enjoy every aspect of the game.

With that concern, I decided to invest in a strategy guide, and after browsing and researching my options, my choice falls to Killer Guides’ Final Fantasy XV guide. Let me show you why:

Why Would You Need a Strategy Guide?

Let us first address the elephant in the room, the question and doubt so many gamers asked nowadays: In this days where you can search for any information online, why would you still need to purchase a strategy guide?

Here is my opinion to answer that question:

– Games nowadays are bigger and a lot more detailed, yet our lives are a lot busier

I’m sure many older gamers can relate to this one. Yes, we can argue that older games are more difficult and more ‘hardcore’, yet we didn’t have our seemingly never ending push notifications and emails on our phones back then.

On the other hand,I felt that on the contrary, It’s a lot easier to find online guides and forum back in the days. Nowadays, there are so many click-bait fake ‘guides’, or people trolling with story spoilers, etc. I want to have all the necessary details on my hand without having to spend hours and hours to search online and get spoiled. Let’s use that precious time to enjoy and explore the game instead!

– Hey, the guides are now in digital format, and cheaper than ever

Ever bought those $30++ hardcover guide books where the contents are complete garbage? Or remember when you accidentally opened the last pages that spoiled the ending for you? Nowadays, the guides came in a digital format, regularly updated as the game evolves with patches, and in Killer Guides’ case, it’s only $19.99.

Why I Liked Killer Guides

Why then, my choice finally fall to Killer Guides? Well most of all, I liked how they write the guide with a gamer mind. For me, a guide should help you completing the game without sacrificing your experience of progression, and I felt Killer Guides really nailed that part.

The Killer Guides Final Fantasy XV guide is impressive with its detail, and they are on point with their layout. The layout, in particular, will be practical for you as the game progressed, showing you the correct preparation and equipment required for each quest and boss.

Here are some of the notable qualities of the guide:

Complete Walkthrough and Hidden Quests

-Regularly updated for obvious reasons
-Search function (CTRL+F ftw)
-I can read it using my phone or laptop depending on what’s more convenient for me at the moment

Being a PDF format, it’s easier to search for areas I’m currently in without accidentally spoiling myself to the story by opening later pages, an issue I often found with hardcopy guides.

I restarted the game for a fresh run once I got my Killer Guides FFXV guide. So far, with 40+ hours using it, I’ve completed all main quests, was on point with my side quests, built pretty powerful characters with great gear, and as far as I can tell, it satisfies my inner OCD as a perfectionist.

Impressive Side Quests Section

Killer Guides’ dedicated side quests section really nailed what I truly wanted from a guide. It’s well structured with great layout, and the contents are nothing short of amazing.

They are on point, especially for the timing of when to take and finish a certain quest. You can feel the sense of progression, both story and gameplay-wise, and can rest assured that you won’t miss any important quests along the way.

So far in my experience, they are also correct with their reward lists, which is also a plus point, with so many typos or wrong reward lists found on other guides for other games.

Last but not least, one thing they also do right is that they understand that being over-leveled can ruin the fun of the game, and the leveling section really tackled that issue. You won’t be so far into grinding that you’ll be too powerful in the main questline, which have always been such a turnoff for me in a lot of other games.

Bosses and Combat Strategy

Final Fantasy series is famous for a lot of things, and If you’re like me and has been a long-time fan of the series, one of them is those deep strategies involved for the harder bosses. Remember the old Weapons from FFVII? Or Penance in FFX?

For XV, these bosses will happen more often, and there’s even a boss that will need 72-hours real world time to beat!

Killer Guides also did it right for this section, as strategies for bosses, difficult enemies, and dungeons are explained clearly, but yet still leaving rooms for your own creativity.

AP Farming and Levelling

Although the Final Fantasy series is one of my favorites, one thing I really hated the most from the series is the leveling and AP farming. Don’t take me wrong, I love grinding on other games, it’s just that on Final Fantasy series, sadly including XV, the grinds are sometimes too repetitive.

Thankfully, Killer Guides included a grinding section both for level and AP, so I can have around 500,000 EXP and 672 AP within an hour, and use my precious time to actually enjoy the game.

Bottom Line

With this guide, I can use my hard-earned, precious time to worry less about being a completionist, and actually enjoy the story and the beautiful world of EOS. One thing I probably will criticize is I could use more detailed maps. Hopefully, they will add it in the future updates.

If you are like me and you value efficiency, this guide might also be the right one for you!

Every gamer agree that once you are in a mid-game, it is usually a difficult task to accumulate money, which is useful in buying weapons, cooking ingredients and healing items. Unlike other games, main mission or killing monsters does not reward any Gil. This has been due to the realistic nature of the game. For the FFXV, we are going to equip you with ways of earning up to a million Gil effortlessly.

Learn how to unlock all secrets and hidden stories with this Final Fantasy XV Strategy Guide by Killer Guides. Complete walk-through, step-by-step levelling strategies, character progressions, combat tricks, side quests, hidden items, gear, gil making, and more are included in this detailed manual.

Take Part in the Totomostro

While in Altissia, there are usually hidden arena battles. Though they are small, they will be useful in accumulating your Gil stock. In this mini-game, you can place bets before fighting the monsters. Once they win the battle, you get to collect medals which can later be exchanged for 700 Gil. I know 700 Gil does not seem like enough money, but a few more battles will earn you more trophies which will result in more money.

If you are patient enough, you could repeat the Totomostro over and over again and in five hours, you could have almost 5 million medals will you could trade to the merchants for about a million Gil. You will then be good to go.

Accept Hunting Quests

We all agree that hunting quests are not all that enjoyable. However, since we are in need of Gil, we have to push our limits. One way of getting hunting contracts is by going to the local restaurant. If you do not push too much, you could be awarded a hunting contract through which you can earn treasures that you will then hand over in exchange for Gil.

For easier hunts, accept those that should take place in the morning or that have no specific time duration. Night hunts are normally more difficult and you may feel that you are not getting value for your effort. However, its reward is better once your party is powerful enough.

Play the 10K Justice Monster Five

The Justice Monster is a pinball game that is found in several diners and cafes in the world of Final Fantasy XV. It is a game that Noctis and his friends like to play a lot. The normal playing cost is 10 gil with normal rewards.

However, there’s a hidden 10k machine in Altissia for more advanced players with great rewards. In this scene, you are expected to play for hours and fight against the enemies and bosses. In order to complete the task, you need to lower their HP as much by accurately shots and combo hits. Once enough treasures are accumulated, you will be rewarded with luxurious items, including accessories. The 99 chests reward you with Wind-up Lord Vexxos that can be sold for 500k.

Side Quests

Completing the mission might not earn you enough Gil but taking part in these quests may be the answer to your Gil troubles. In order to take part in these quests, you have to talk with the quest giver and complete their quests. There are several quests that one may be assigned. Some may involve defeating an enemy while others may be fetching some item or even taking pictures of certain places. Once the quest has been completed, you will be rewarded with EXP, gil, and items.

The recommended quest giver is VYV for his photography quests. This task will often involve taking pictures of various land marks that are found in the game’s world. It might take you out of the route but totally worth it.

Find The Treasures in Your Inventory and Sell them

When you reach certain points of the game, there will be a lot of unused items and accessories in your inventory. Sell everything that you do not plan to use or need it. Some of them are worth up to a few thousand Gil. Always keep your eyes on the map for treasure spots or those shining white collectibles!

To earn extra Gil and exp, you can easily take some snapshots during your adventures in Eos. You will find Vyv standing in the lookout area below the parking lot in Lestallum. He will pay some good Gil for photographs of places of his interest. VYV is considered as one of the best quest hubs in the game.

Learn how to unlock all secrets and hidden stories with this Final Fantasy XV Strategy Guide by Killer Guides. Complete walk-through, step-by-step levelling strategies, character progressions, combat tricks, side quests, hidden items, gear, gil making, and more are included in this detailed manual.

The Perfect Landscape (Recommended Level 8)

This quest is unlocked when you complete the Tour with Iris in Chapter 3 and rewards 1,000 XP and 5,000 Gil. Talk to Vyv to get your first assignment. He wants you to take a few pictures of the Disc of Cauthess. Drive to your first location, have Prompto take a picture, then drive to the second to snap the next one as will all these quests you need to take photos during daytime. Head back to him to hand him the pictures and get your reward.

An Eye for Islands (Recommended Level 10)

You can unlock the quest after you complete the initial Perfect Landscape. It rewards 1,500 XP and 7,500 Gil. The second task into take the picture of Angelard. You can find the island off the south east coast. Once he gives you details go back to the dock at Galvin Quay (where the Dino is located), take a shot and return back to Vyv.

Aftermath of the Astral War (Recommended Level 12)

Rewards 2,000 XP along with 10,000 Gil. You have to take two pictures of Taelpar Crag. The position for the first shot will be near an Imperial base so expect ambushes. The second shot is from the bridge. Then head back to Vyv.

Of Gods and Kings (Recommended Level 14)

Awards 2,500 XP and 12,500 Gil. Vyv now wants you to take two pictures in the Fallgrove tomb. Both locations are near one another, you need to kill some of the wildlife before you can take them.

Vyv’s Volcanic Inspiration (Recommended Level 20)

Rewards 3,000 XP and 15,000 Gil. This quest is far more dangerous than the previous ones. Go or the Rock of Ravagoth, but where you would normally go left, take the right up the red hot rocks. They will deal damage as you ascend, don’t hang out there, avoid any fights whenever possible. Once you reach the top snap a picture of the cave and then go out there before you are consumed by flames.

A Place to Call Home (Recommended Level 22)

The photography spot is right back at the location where Chapter 1 ended. There will be some Imperial resistance on your way, but once you clear your way and do the snapshot, head back to Lestallum. The quest awards 3,500 XP and 17,500 Gil.

The Pen is Mightier Than The Sword (Recommended Level 25)

There are three places you need to photograph. This quest will yield 4,000 XP and 20,000 Gil. These can be completed in random order. Three sub quests will be added to your log marking the locations, because of their proximity to Imperial bases you can expect some ambushes when you get close to each.

Cleigne Imperial base: Taken from the road that passes to the north of the base.
Duscae Imperial Base: The photo is taken from the bridge on the south side of the base.
Leide Imperial Base: The photo is taken from the dirty road leading to the southern corner of the base.

The Cursed Canvas (Recommended Level 30)

The final Vyv quest awards 5,000 XP and 25,000 Gil. This can be either done while visiting Altissia during the story, or you may return after by calling Umbra at a rest spot. Take a gondola, ride to the floating bar, talk to the maiden to mark the location on your map and then engage the “A Lost Painting” hunt. Take the gondola to the Ministerial Quarters Station, go down into the basement and kill Chadamook. She will be resistant to all physical weapons and vulnerable to Royal weapons as well as fire. Go back to Vyv to turn in the final quest.

In this article you learn how to quickly earn some AP. If you view the Ascension ability tree, you will notice there is a lot of abilities to unlock some of which cost hundreds of AP. AP doesn’t drop at a steady rate while you play, but it is a resource similar to XP. There are always opportunities to get more everywhere you venture.

Learn how to unlock all secrets and hidden stories with this Final Fantasy XV Strategy Guide by Killer Guides. Complete walk-through, step-by-step levelling strategies, character progressions, combat tricks, side quests, hidden items, gear, gil making, and more are included in this detailed manual.

If you want to get AP fast and don’t mind grinding, it’s recommended to find a group of low level creatures you are able to quickly kill with Warp Striker over and over to get 1 AP per kill. One great location for this is west Duscae near the Disc of Cauthess, where you can get more than 800 AP per hour a lot of Gils and XP at the same time. You need the monster whistle to call enemies to your locations (which will be obtained up at Chapter 4) and you need to be there when it s not raining, otherwise it is only about simple killing creatures over again.

Having certain AP boosts will increase your AP gains, consider doing some workarounds prior to grinding to maximize the effort. You can get AP from different sources such as taking tours, leveling up, training with Gladio, performing specific kills and abilities during a battle, but if you take your AP gains seriously, consider to invest your first AP points into Exploration part of the menu that gives AP for doing other activities like Roar-running (32 AP) makes you earn AP from driving in the Regalia. Choco-bump will make you get AP from riding your Chocobo.

Then there are options such as getting AP from winning Chocobo races, taking photographs, catching fish, visiting new camp or when you cook a member’s favorite food. It’s recommended to get the Road-running (using the Regalia), Choco-bump (using the Chocobo), Happy Camping (camping in a new location) and Magic Action (getting Ap from casting a spell) first, because these are all activities you will be performing regularly when you start your journey throughout the whole game. There are also AP boosters from Armiger and Magic areas. For example Armiger Action (48 AP) will make you earn AP whenever you use the Armiger ability. Magic Action (24 AP) will make you earn AP whenever you cast a spell.

Before you’re finally beaten the campaign, side quests and finished the story lines, you may ask what’s in Final Fantasy XV’s endgame. Well, there are definitely some things you can do that are challenging. Whether it’s tombs you encounter during the story or optional end-game locations you stumble upon in the open world, they feature tough enemies and by the end of it, you will get powerful new items, Armiger upgrades or a ton of XP.

Learn how to unlock all secrets and hidden stories with this Final Fantasy XV Strategy Guide by Killer Guides. Complete walk-through, step-by-step levelling strategies, character progressions, combat tricks, side quests, hidden items, gear, gil making, and more are included in this detailed manual.

Before doing dungeons and tombs, don’t forget to make camp and eat a good stat-boosting dish. This ensures that your party is at full health and the best meals ensure that you’re powered up enough to deal with the powerful enemies. Make sure you are stocked on consumable items, such as Regeneration or Resurrection potions. Don’t forget your Regalia has a shop you can access whenever you climb inside. While there are certain level requirements for many dungeons and tombs, it’s recommended to deal with them with at least 5 level highers than the requirements.

Waiting until you finish the main story is recommended, but you may also approach them earlier which will give you a plethora of benefits such as Armigers and AP or XP gains. Always carry with you a range of weapons and magic to ensure you can expose the weakness of your foes and bosses.

Having Light weapons will help you with daemons and it’s recommended to unlock an Enhancement technique for Ignis for 18 AP in the Ascension tree that temporarily transforms your weapon’s element to the weakness element your enemy is locked to while at the same time giving you a bonus to the same element.

If you become overwhelmed halfway through the dungeon, don’t worry you can always return. It is always about learning the dungeon’s enemies. You may return with newfound knowledge and commence where you left off.

Malmalam’s Thicket – Tomb of the Pious (Recommended Level 35)

Malmalam Ticket can be found in the south west area of the map. Take the western road from Old Lestallum, turn south at the end of the road and park just north on Maidenwater. Makes your way on foot (or use a chocobo) through the woods until you find the entrance. The dungeon is a straight run from the entrance up to the exit. You will encounter Solider Wasps (weak to Daggers, Ice, Javelins and resistant to Lightning) and Mandrakes (weak to Fire, Swords, Guns and resistant to Lightning) on your way and when you reach the open area at the end, you will be fighting a Bandersnatch which is weak to Javelins, Lightning while resistant to Fire. The fight takes place in a large open area where you can make long distance Warp Strikes for plenty of HP. When he’s down enter the tomb to collect the Scepter of the Pious.

Myrlwood Forest – Tomb of the Rogue (Recommended Level 36)

The Myrlwood is found in the northwestern corner of the map, south west of Vesperpool. Make your way along the wooded path to the entrance, head straight west through the green area where you find Mushussus that are weak to Shields, Frost, Javelins and resistant to Fire and Mandrakes. As soon as you are through the woods, you can take the left turn to find a campsite, fishing spot and elemental essences. The other way will lead you to the Treant. It is weak to Mechanisms, Fire and Broadswords while resistant to Lightning. Once defeated it’s safe to enter the tomb to collect the Star of the Rogue.

Health Pool, Damage, Recovery and Death

The party has four members, each of them obviously has a Health bar. Damage does not affect maximum Health. Whenever damage is taken, only your current health pool is taken into consideration. To recover health, use a potion. The health pool will automatically recover to maximum over time.

Learn how to unlock all secrets and hidden stories with this Final Fantasy XV Strategy Guide by Killer Guides. Complete walk-through, step-by-step levelling strategies, character progressions, combat tricks, side quests, hidden items, gear, gil making, and more are included in this detailed manual.

Health Reduction is caused when your Health gauge is fully depleted and your Hero enters the Danger status where attacks are impaired and the only thing you can do is slowly move. When you reach the danger status, your maximum Health bar will be drained and you will gradually lose Health based on the damage taken. To leave the Danger status, you need to either use a healing consumable, remain unharmed for some time or you need to be helped by another party member.

Enemies that you face during night are especially powerful. Demons for example will drain both your current and maximum Health.

When you’re taking damage, you can restore only the Health you lost there is no restoring above the cap. Your max Health is capped and to lift the penalty and restore to max, you need to rest at a camp or lodging or use a powerful consumable.

If you reach 0, you die. You have a few seconds window to use a recovery item, like Phoenix Down. If you don’t use it, you will see the Game Over screen. When resurrected, you will have little Health and need to replenish it with methods mentioned indicated above.

Magic Points (MP)

Exclusive to Noctis, Magic Points equal his magic energy pool. It’s his resource for attacks and anytime you use an ability such as warp-striking. When you use a MP spender (attack) the cost is deducted from the entire MP pool. There are several ways to replenish your MP gauge.

1. Over time by not taking damage whereas hiding behind objects will increase the regeneration.
2. Point-warping to a blue marker will instantly restore Noctis’ s entire MP pool.
3. Once you learn Osmostrike Ascension ability and successfully complete aerial attacks, your MP gauge regeneration rate will increase which awards aggressive strategies.
4. Similar to Health, your gauge can be restored with consumables whereas the amount of MP restored depends on the quality of the consumable.

When your MP gauge is fully depleted, Noctus will enter Stasis. During Stasis, your MP-based moves are disabled temporarily. Noctis will collapse for a short duration if you try to perform MP-based moves. You need to constantly monitor and pay close attention to your MP gauge, because some moves will consume a lot of it, especially warping.

Attributes

Parameters that strongly influence your combat efficiency. You can view them in the Main Menu.
Attributes increase with gear or by eating at restaurants or while camping. Gear is a little harder to come by, but the boys it provides is active as long as it’s equipped. Meal attributes boosts are easy to come by, the bonus they provide is temporary. It can be easily farmed.

Stat buffs are vital for doing battles. You should always make use of them. It’s useful to get elemental resistance buffs if you’re facing enemies with different elements. Having the entire party eat before an encounter can greatly increase your success.

Attributes (Stats) Overview

Here you can find all the different stats or “attributes” that you will encounter in the game.

Determine the damage dealt from specific resistance-based attacks. For example when fighting Fire mobs, it’s good to have some fire resistance that will decrease your Fire damage taken.
The following resistances are in the game

Status Effects (Buffs)

Buffs will boost one of your attributes. You can get them mostly by equipping accessories or by eating meals. They are indicated by blue or green square-shaped icons.

Debuffs

Mobs will place debuffs on you that can temporarily reduce some of your stats. To mitigate it, a quick reaction is needed. You can again use consumables to dispel them.

Damage Types

Damage is of two-fold nature. Either physical or magical. Different stats or “attributes” come to mind when dealing with or enhancing your abilities. Strength is important for physical damage and applies to weapons, Magic attributes determine the power of or resistance to spells. All enemies have a set amount of affinities that determine their damage sustenance from attacks.